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Leaders’ Circle set for IndyCar season

February 5, 2013

The IndyCar series has shored up its Leaders' Circle for the upcoming season. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

IndyCar has settled its Leaders’ Circle participants for the upcoming season, which means there will be 22 entries that are guaranteed at least $1 million from the program if they compete in all 19 events.

The 22 entries represent many of the car-and-driver combinations that have recently been announced, with just a couple of modifications.

Team Penske will receive only two of the spots because the third entry from a year ago isn’t confirmed yet for 2013 and might not be.

HVM Racing hasn’t announced any part of its program, but IndyCar has enough faith in the participation of Keith Wiggins’ program to include it in the Leaders’ Circle.

Dale Coyne Racing has yet to announce its plans for the season ahead, but IndyCar has approved two Leader’s Circle spots.

Nineteen of last year’s top-22 finishers will return this year, and they are part of the Leaders’ Circle program. The last three spots were filled by HVM, Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing and Dragon Racing.

A couple of cars confirmed for 2013 are not included because they came after the deadline. They include the car from Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for rookie driver Tristan Vautier and the second car of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (for James Jakes).

Andretti Autosport is expected to add a fourth car to its program, and it will not be part of the Leaders Circle program. The same is true for the potential second car of Dragon Racing, if it materializes.

Ganassi Racing has only three in the program after having four last year.

Teams not in the Leaders’ Circle can still earn money from races. In addition to the top-five bonus money that is available to all competitors, non-Leaders’ Circle competitors will compete for $40,000 as best in class with $35,000 going to the second-best finisher and $30,000 to the third.